DeKalb Schools names final superintendent candidate
- 8/17/11
- Categorized in: DeKalb News, Education
The DeKalb County School Board announced that it has selected Dr. Cheryl Atkinson as the final candidate in the system’s long-running superintendent search, but not all members are in favor of her.
Atkinson is currently the superintendent of the Lorain City School System in Ohio, a district serving approximately 7,626 students.
Although that number pales in comparison to DeKalb’s nearly 100,000 student population, Atkinson has had experience in several larger districts. She was formerly the deputy superintendent of the Kansas City, Missouri School District, a district with more than 38,000 students and more than 70 schools.
The board plans to publicly vote to install Atkinson into office after a 14-day waiting period consistent with state law.
However, board members Nancy Jester and Donald McChesney said that Atkinson is not the right person for the job. In a recent open letter both board members said that, based on her record of academic achievements, they could not in good conscience support her.
“I do not see anything in Dr. Atkinson’s record with her current district that convinces me she will be able to move our district in the right direction,” Jester said in the letter.
In his letter, McChesney also stated that the most current data available show only 1 of 24 academic indicators being met in the Lorain system. Ohio also has Lorain schools on “Academic Watch”. This is step 4 out of 5 on their sanctions scale. The next step is “Academic Emergency,” which is the most serious sanction.
In a statement regarding the letter, School Board Chairman Tom Bowen said that “the Board [had] no comment on any individual board member communications as those actions do not represent official actions of the Board.”
“I would say that there is staunch support for Atkinson but board members are required to make their decision based upon all the information available to them,” Bowen said of the looming vote.
President of the Organization of DeKalb Educators David Schutten said he had spoken to several people involved in education reform in the Midwest and they all had positive feedback about Atkinson. He said that he thought Jester’s letter was “much ado about nothing.”
“I’ve looked at her background and she’s qualified. I think at this point the school system is going to have to have a new superintendent…we can’t stretch this out,” Schutten said.
In a statement released by Atkinson, she thanked the school board and briefly outlined her plans for the DeKalb system.
“It will be a privilege to work with the board and the district to build coalitions and implement strategies to raise academic achievement,” Atkinson said. “Together, we can improve test scores, raise graduation rates and enhance student success in all educational environments.” Additionally, Atkinson served as associate superintendent for school administration for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, a district with more than 125,000 students and more than 150 schools. She was also one of three finalists in the Atlanta Public Schools recent superintendent search.
The DeKalb system was given a deadline of Oct. 31 to hire a new superintendent or face loss of accreditation by AdvacED, the parent corporation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Earlier in the search process, several candidates pulled out of the running after negotiations details were leaked to the press.
The school has been searching for a new superintendent since former Superintendent Crawford Lewis was fired in April 2010.
“There is a combination of both excitement and relief. Excitement in [the sense] that there will be an opportunity for the district to have a [strict] academic focus that it hasn’t been able to [have] over the past,” Bowen said. “And relief that there were some bumps in the road, but we still made it through the process.”
Several of The School Boards Members however continue to cause me Great Concern - THE VOTERS OF DEKALB MUST DO BETTER !
AND " WE CITIZENS' MUST BRING FORWARD BETTER CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION ? Choices have been very poor in many Elections throughout DeKalb ! and we suffer for that . . .
Everyone that wants to be a leader cannot lead…everyone that is in a leading position is not a leader. We are faced with a dilemma that can be fixed if we look for certain qualities in a person before we appoint him/her as a leader. Trial-and-error is not acceptable when the future of our children is at stake. The following qualities are what I look for in a leader…be it principal, school board member, or superintendent.
A good leader possesses a character that one would want to emulate. It is of the utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honesty and integrity. A good leader “walks the walk…and talks the talk” thus earning the right to have responsibility for others. The mark of a true leader is derived from the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.
A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as a leader. People respond more positive to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. A leader needs to be a visible part of the team working towards the goal, even though their role may differ. This kind of leader is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty to reach the desired goal.
A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidents in others. A leader who conveys confidents towards the objective inspires the best effort from team members.
A leader needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.
Good leaders know that there are two-sides to every story and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the situation at hand. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.
A good leader keeps the main goal in focus and is able to think analytically. A good lead view situations as a whole and is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. And with the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.
Finally, a good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. A good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.
Many Board Members seem to "run" with Ole Slug-O Zepora when it comes to answering questions on this appointment.
If our Board of Education Members are not competent or do not have all of the facts to speak in a Rational and Educated Manner on this appointment - Who Is ?
This Lady, Ms Atkinson may very well be the Perfect Person for this job. Perhaps the Voters of DeKalb will start Vetting their BOE Votes Much Better ! The DeKalb BOE has no firm foundation of Wisdom in my opinion ?
What you stated is a matter of public record and can't be ignored. I will go a step further and predict that fewer schools will make AYP next year. I believe that will be the case because the cut scores will be increased again. I believe this will be true regardless of who the superintendent will be. What citizens will need to look at will be academic growth over last year instead of simply the AYP results. Little Johnny may not make the cut score for making AYP be if he 'grew' significantly over his last year score, we are making progress.
With Dr. Atkinson coming in September, what impact on standardized test scores will you expect? What measure will you want to see improvement on by the end of the school year? I believe that is what we need to decide.
It is S. DeKalb that is going to suffer because of this choice. What a shame.
You really know how to put a person on the spot :). In general, the leaks should not have occured. I believe those involved in the leaks should have been reprimanded. I don't know who leaked this nor their motivation in doing so. As I recall, DCSS was in negotiations with Cox over the terms and conditions of a potential contract when the leak occured. Though I thought Culver would have made the better candidate because of his experience, I believe the process was compromised and left the district with egg on their face.
I spoke to a friend in the media and they indicated that typically two sources are required before they run a story. They even heard that Belcher had some information much earlier but could not run it because he could not get confirmation of the accuracy of it. Supposedly when he got similar information from a different source, he felt comfortable with running the story. Bear in mind, I am giving hearsay and I don't know the truth behind this.
Why didn't Tom address this? I don't know, perhaps he did privately in executive session. Though he is the chair, he still only has one vote. If he wanted to reprimand the 'leakers', assuming they were identified, he would need to get 5 votes to begin any action against them. Perhaps he did not get that. We don't know what happened in executive session regarding this incident and may not, unless someone leaks it.
You didn't write your thoughts on the various leaks during the negotiations with the other supt. candidates, including the leaks to Richard Belcher and no longer on the board Zepora the Slugger. Your thoughts on that, and more importantly, why Chair Bowen failed to respond to the leaks in any credible manner?? Those leaks were another hit to the credibility of this BOE. Let's hear your take, E.
I hope your schedule will allow you to attend the community 'meet and greet' with Dr. Atkinson. Though I have not heard about an announcement for one, this typically happens with a finalist before they are hired.
As we have on several subjects, we will agree to disagree on this one :)
I don't question their right to share that information as nothing was done improper. I do question the wisdom in doing so given the heightened tensions in the community over this process. and how it has transpired.
I believe Don, Nancy, Tom, and Pam came 'close' to a sanction by SACS with their letter earlier this summer about the superintendent hiring process. Without question, Zepora and Sarah conducted themselves improperly in separate incidents last year and were reprimanded by the Board. Is this Board willing to sanction others that conduct themselves improperly. I know some in the community that wondered about Paul and his comments to Emmanuel Jones. I don't know that incident rose to that level but it is something to consider.
We both agree that the Board should not be in this predicament at this time. They are in this situation because of their inaction earlier in the process. The reality about the timing of this hiring is that all employees have a contract until June 30, 2012. Dr. Atkinson could rearrange some responsibilities but she can't fire anyone. I personally would not be surprised if she brought her own instruction person with her. We saw that with Dr. Brown who brought in Dr. Abbe Boring.
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2011/08/09/campaign-finance-panel-fines-dekalb-commissioners-sutton-watson/
DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton failed to disclose more than $101,000 in contributions to her campaigns in 2006 and 2008. For that, she agreed Friday to pay a $2,500 fine.
Commissioner Stan Watson also agreed to a $1,500 fine Friday for holding a 2008 campaign fund-raiser while the state Legislature, of which he was then a member, was still in session.
Sutton did not file four campaign finance reports in 2008 until December that year, after she had won the election and after a state investigation was under way. The disclosures, once filed, showed she had received $93,000 in donations, many from developers, attorneys and contractors seeking favorable treatment from DeKalb government.
Ernest, you are losing it! Questioning Jester and McChesney, who had the standup decency to be very public with their concerns, when we are only in this mess because Board of Education members violated their ethics policies by leaking supt. search info. And feckless Tom Bowen did nothing to investigate and hold those board members accountable!
Leaking search info., to the media and Zepora "I'm Gonna Slug You" Roberts was incredibly unethical and unprofessional, and a complete dereliction of duties. C'mon, Ernest, you know that is the real issue here.
Yet you criticize 2 BOE members who at least are very publicly voicing their concerns, not leaking info. in a cowardly manner.
Can't wait until the public votes out Bowen and Gene Walker. Ernest, still can't believe you lost to Walker for BOE:
http://www.accessnorthgeorgia.com/detail.php?n=150517
http://www.accessnorthgeorgia.com/detail.php?n=165732
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/07/24/dekalb-school-board-drops-sembler-suit/
Now I have not been to a DeKalb School Board Meeting - I attend the Board of Commissioners Meetings on a regular basis and have for years.
In my opinion much is afoul, corrupt, broken or bent throughout DeKalb County. I live in District Three of Larry Johnson Fame, the Murder Capitol of DeKalb, and I ride Public Transit almost every other day all about Atlanta.
I can assure everyone that from where I stand the Children of DeKalb need help and in most instances they ain't getting it ! The number of young pregnant girls is sad !
Least our thought on not meeting AYP is perhaps why America is no better than 17th in any catergory of study across Mother Earth !
We Must Expect and Demand Nothing Less Than The Best For Our Children ! With our current School Board - Holy Mackeral !
And look at the neighborhoods - many a War Zone from Lithonia to Ellenwood - Stores full of Illegal Video Poker Machines, most in Plain Sight - Something ain't right there - I guess our District Attorney don't get out much ?
I can't disagree with your comment of tactics used. I've heard that same happening albeit in the past. In this day of openness and transparency, I 'want' to believe that is more difficult to do nowadays. Scorecards are used heavily in hiring and performance reviews to that if questions arise, one can go back to the scorecard. As citizens we don't know what score any of the candidates got but have to trust the lawyers involved made sure they played fair. Leaks from executive sessions are bad but if it was leaked that someone was unethical in evaluating superintedent candidates, you really can have something.
Despite the positive things I've heard about Duron, I can't consider him because he did not get the votes necessary from the Board to present him as a finalist. Even if he was, I'm sure he has some skeletons in his career that some might seek to emphasize over his qualifications. There also is no guarantee his success in San Antonio would translate to success in DeKalb. This is true for any candidate. At the end of the day, our Board did not present him as a potential candidate so all discussions about him are moot.
That isn't quite true. In states where systems are required to show the taxpayers the final candidates, it is a well know tactic for the boards or other government bodies to have their favored candidate surrounded by weaker ones.
In fact, Lilly Cox was probably only in the top 3 in DeKalb because several of the board members never thought she would be hired. (They kept Duron out of the top three, didn't want the public to see him.) Imagine their surprise, when Ms. Copelin-Woods was temporarily able to see past skin color and was supporting Cox. Opps. Then some of the board members had to leak information to sabotage.
Whether she would have come or not is irrelevant.
We would have done better than Cox. We certainly could have done better than Atkinson.
Making AYP is a challenge, especially when you consider where some schools might start from. There are 'good' schools that did not make AYP because of increases to the cut scores.
Also in fairness, she was a regional superintendent in Charlotte, which is a larger school district than DeKalb.
If Dr Atkinson can not bring a System with less than seven thousand students up to the goals needed to meet AYP how might she manage one hundred thousand ?
This Deal Ain't Done Yet ?
Though you would like the vote to hire her to be unanimous, all that is needed is a majority. While Don and Nancy had a right to express their opinions about Dr. Atkinson to their constituents, I question whether it was good board conduct. They did nothing wrong but perhaps it incited members of the community.